Poll for police bosses ‘will be a shambles’

The number of people turning out to vote for police and crime commissioners in November is expected to hit an historic low, the Electoral Reform Society warns today.

The society estimates that turnout for the poll, which is costing £75 million, will be about 18.5 per cent, the lowest figure for a national election in British history. It blames the Government’s decision to hold the poll in November and its refusal to pay for the distribution of profiles for each candidate.

Katie Ghose, the society’s chief executive, said: “This election is beginning to look like a perfect storm. Those pulling the strings have not done their homework and as a result this election looks primed to degenerate into a complete shambles.”